OCTOBER 2001
Jessie Christine Johnson ~ October 3, 2001
Daniel William Smith ~ October 9, 2001
Ruth A. (Pease Campbell) Goris ~ October 9, 2001
Betty Lou Simpson ~ October 10, 2001
James J. Hoffman ~ October 16, 2001
Vaudine Marzelle Jirsa ~ October 19, 2001
Burdette E. (Bud) Steck ~ October 19, 2001
Otto Albert Gernant ~ October 21, 2001
Grady H. Shuler ~ October 21, 2001
Beth Tabor ~ October 22, 2001
Bonnie Raye Brazelton Tuttle ~ October 23, 2001
Fredrick Wilson Hopkin ~ October 23, 2001
Ryan Scott Mollenbrink ~ October 25, 2001
Ted Van Valin ~ October 25, 2001
Gerald (Jerry) H. Beaver ~ October 31, 2001
Ronald D. Kranich ~ October 31, 2001
Jessie Christine Johnson ~ October 3
The daughter of former residents died Wednesday, Oct. 3 in Alamosa, Colo.
Jessie Christine Johnson, 44, was the daughter of John and Louise Jilcott, formerly of Powell.
She was born Oct. 9, 1956, in Steamboat Springs, Colo. She loved to jog and exercise. She also loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Her father, John Jilcott, preceded her in death in 1994.
Survivors include her children, Becky Decker of Laramie and Jeremy Decker of Minot, N.D.; her mother, Jouise Jilcott of Grand Junction, Colo.; her sisters, Eileen Cantu and husband Toney of Alamosa and Jeanne Morris and husand Jack of Boise, Idaho; her brothers, Jim Jilcott and wife Mary of Grand Junction and John Jilcott and wife Teri of Edwards, Calif.; one grandchild, two nieces and one nephew.
Cremation has taken place, and private family services will be held at a later date. Contributions to Hospice Del Valle, P.O. Box 1549, Alamosa, CO 81101 would be appreciated by the family.
Daniel William Smith ~ October 9
Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. at St. Barbara's Catholic Church for Daniel William Smith, who died Tuesday, Oct. 9 at the Powell Hospital.
Father Tom Ogg will officiate at services and burial in Crown Hill Cemetery.
Mr. Smith had been a resident of Powell since 1993 when he came from New York in retirement to live near a daughter.
He was the son of James Smth and Catherine (Comiskey) Smith. A retired bank employee, he was a veteran of service in the U.S. Army.
He married "Pat" Hart Scharfenberg in Ridgewood, N.Y.
He was a member of St. Barbara's Catholic Church. He enjoyed gardening, playing cards and supporting the Northwest Trappers and the Powell Panthers and his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife "Pat" Smith of Powell; a son, Bill Scharfenberg and his wife Ann of Long Island, N.Y.; a daughter, Kathy Williams of Powell; a brother, Billy Smith and his wife Janie of Long Island, N.Y.; a nephew, James Smith of Long Island, N.Y.; grandchildren Bill Scharfenberg and wife Lori, Kevin Scharfenberg and wife Janene, David Scharfenberg, Becky Williams and Anna Williams; and great-grandchildren Amy, Allison, Billy and Jake Scharfenberg.
For those who wish, memorials may be mailed to the Powell Senior Center at 248 N. Gilbert Street, Powell.
Ruth A. (Pease Campbell) Goris ~ October 9
Ruth A. (Pease Campbell) Goris, 84, passed away Oct. 9, 2001 in Omaha, Neb.
Mrs. Goris was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Myrtle Smith; husband Gordon Pease, husband Walter Campbell and son, Dale H. Pease.
She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Frank J. Goris of Papillion, Neb.; daughter and son-in-law Rae Leah and David Sidwell of Papillion, Neb.; a daughter-in-law, Patricia Pease of Ralston; sisters Pearl Compton of Laramie and Willa Davis of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandsons and spouses Paul and Lisa Sidwell and Mark Sidwell and wife Dana Siebler; and great-grandchildren Jessica, Tyler, and Jayden Sidwell.
During her life she was a teacher and owned her own Napa Massage business. She was active in Girl Scouts as a leader and adviser for many years. Mrs. Goris loved nature and gardening.
Betty Lou Simpson ~ October 10
Betty Lou Simpson passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Oct. 10, 2001.
She was born Oct. 24, 1930 in Valley Center, Kan., to Bob and Mildred (Vaughn) Stafford. In 1948, she married the love of her life, Myron Simpson, at Valley Center.
They left Kansas for Lynch, Wyo., with Myron's job with Conoco Oil Co. They later moved to Frannie.
Mrs. Simpson moved to Powell after the loss of her husband to be close to her very special grandson. She was a very loving mother and grandmother and never missed any of the kids' games or matches.
Survivors include her son Robert (Larry) and his wife Sherri of Powell; grandchildren Neal Simpson, Miles and Brad Babcock, all of Powell; a sister, Florence Hodge of Wichita, Kan.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Myron; a son, Terry; sisters Maudie and Jean Stafford and Joy Hawkins; and a brother, Neal Stafford.
Memorial services are at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at First United Methodist Church in Powell with the Rev. Ron Kapalka officiating.
The family would appreciate flowers or memorials to First United Methodist Church of Powell. Memorials may be left at the church.
Miratsky-Easton Funeral home is in charge of all arrangements.
Memorial services will be conducted Friday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home in Powell for James J. Hoffman, 82, who died Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Powell Nursing Home.
He was born March 25, 1919, in Rutherford Heights, Pa., to Herbert and Minnie (Hettinger) Hoffman. He served with the U.S. Army and was a member of the American Legion.
He and Caroline Finney-Hoffman were married Oct. 14, 1982. She preceded him in death on Aug. 4, 1998.
Survivors include daughters Judy Fisher and husband Bob of Harrisburg, Pa., and Connie Dum and husband Walt of Wormleysburg, Pa.; stepson Jerry Finney and wife Jacque of Sun River, Mont.; daughter-in-law Barbara Finney Walters of Houston, Texas; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives and stepson Pat Finney.
Pastor Clyde Seifert will officiate at services.
Burdette E. (Bud) Steck ~ October 19
A memorial service is scheduled today (Thursday) in Palm Desert, Calif., for long-time Powell area resident, Burdette E. (Bud) Steck, 88, who died Friday, Oct. 19 in a Rancho Mirage, Calif., nursing home.
Powell memorial services for Mr. Steck are pending. Cremation has taken place.
He was born June 7, 1913, in Powell, son of Bert and Eva Steck. He grew up in the community and graduated from Powell High School in 1932.
He married Berniece Jones of Byron, and to this union, three children were born: Donald, Nora Lee and Sue.
Mr. Steck was associated in an implement dealership in Powell with George Harrod before serving in the U.S. Navy Seabees in the South Pacific during World War II.
He then operated a general store business in Ralston for many years, serving Heart Mountain homesteaders with food, clothing, lumber and other supplies. He also had a propane gas distribution center. He was a member of the Powell school board for two terms.
Later he joined his brother Dick in the operation of a supermarket in Cody.
Mr. Steck moved from Wyoming to Palm Desert, Calif., in 1963. There he married Marian Adkins. He gave of himself to the community through the Palm Desert Country Club, the Lions Club and the Bermuda Dunes Volunteer Fire Deparment, of which he served as chief from 1963 to 1970. In 1970, he and Marian bought the A&W Drive-in in Palm Desert and operated it until 1977.
In the summers, the Stecks were fond of vacationing a month each year in Kaslo, Canada.
Survivors include his wife Marian of Palm Desert; son Don Steck in Australia; daughters Nora Lee Gotfredson in Pocatello, Idaho, and Sue Abraham in Byron; stepdaughter Sandy Adkins; brother Dick Steck in Cody; three sisters, Ellanora Jacobson in the Powell Nursing Home and Colette Gimmeson and Donna Irestone, both of Powell; 21 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Vaudine Marzelle Jirsa ~ October 19
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Powell for Vaudine Marzelle Jirsa, 77, who died Friday, Oct. 19 in Sandy, Utah, of cancer.
A Heart Mountain homesteader, she moved recently to Utah to be near a daughter.
She was born Aug. 6, 1924, in Pittsburgh, Kans., to Fred and Nona (Peters) Ridenour. She graduated from Pittsburgh State University in 1945 with a B.S. degree in physical education.
On March 17, 1945, she married Robert John Jirsa in Pittsburgh, Kans. He died Nov. 13, 1994. They homesteaded on the Heart Mountain Division of the Shoshone Reclamation Project in 1949. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Powell and was active in United Methodist Women, Heart Mountain Club and the Heart Mountain Sewing Club. She volunteered at the Powell Nursing Home and the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. She often talked about the times spent at the Heart Mountain Clubhouse over the years at 4-H meetings, Bible school, and in the early years, dances and parties. She cherished the friendships made over the years with the "homesteaders" and considered them her second family. She enjoyed traveling with her family and friends. She loved Wyoming and the farm life.
For many years, she was a country correspondent for the Powell Tribune, reporting on the activities of residents of the Mountain View area.
Survivors include daughter Jan Vafa and husband Andrew and grandson Robert of Bellevue, Wash., daughter JoAnne Myers and husband Greg and children Leslie and Brad of South Jordan, Utah; brother Gene Ridenour and wife Colleen of Summerfield, Fla., and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held tonight (Tuesday) from 6 to 8 p.m. at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home. Following Wednesday morning services, burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery.
For those who wish, memorials to First United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity or the charity of donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.
Otto Albert Gernant ~ October 21
Funeral services are scheduled Thursday, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Powell for Otto Albert Gernant, who died peacefully at the Powell Nursing Home Sunday, Oct. 21. Mr. Gernant, 86, had been a resident of the nursing home for the last five months.
He was born March 11, 1915, in Appleton City, Mo., a son of Anna (Springer) Gernant and Theodore Gernant. He was baptized April 4, 1915, at Trinity Lutheran Church and reaffirmed his baptismal vow with the rite of confirmation on May 5, 1929, and was a life-long member of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. He loved his Lord and the Church.
In the late 1930s, Otto came West to find work during the Great Depression. He worked for the Mayland Ranch on Emblem Bench for many years.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1941 to 1946. On June 23, 1946, he and Doris Hollatz were married in Garner, Iowa.
In 1951, Otto and his brothers started farming on Emblem Bench. He liked working with the land and often talked fondly of Emblem and the surrounding mountains. He continued farming until he retired in 1982, and he and Doris moved to Powell.
After his retirement, he could be seen traveling to Emblem to drive tractor for his sons or to the livestock sales in the area. These were two of his greatest enjoyments in his later years.
While he was at Emblem, he served on the Emblem Bench Canal Board, the Big Horn REA Board, the Emblem School Board and Zion Lutheran Church Board.
He is survived by his wife, Doris, of the family home; two sons, Howard Gernant and wife Carol and DuWayne Gernant and wife Kerry, both of Emblem; two daughters, Kathleen Arrell and husband Sam of Denver, Colo., and Fern McLaughlin and husband Richie of Tucson, Ariz.; two brothers, John Gernant of Worland and Elmer Gernant and wife Pete of Greybull; one sister, Edith Gernant of Kansas City, Mo.; and seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and two sisters.
Visitation at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home will be Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. and from 9 until time of service on Thursday. Interment will be in the Emblem Cemetery.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Powell.
Funeral services will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church for Grady H. Shuler, 83, who died Sunday, Oct. 21 at the Powell Hospital after a short illness.
He was born Nov. 13, 1917, in Blairsville, Ga. He married Ethel Engel on June 24, 1940. They celebrated 61 years of life together.
His family was his life. But never having met a stranger, he was a friend to all who knew him. He always said if you were too busy to take the time to talk to a stranger, you were too busy.
He spent all his life as a farmer. One of his greatest pleasures was sharing the joys of God's great outdoors with others.
Survivors include his wife Ethel of Powell; his four children, Alice Walter and husband Stan of Burley, Idaho, and sons Gene Shuler and wife Cheryl, Wade Shuler and wife Marcia and Ted Shuler and wife Maureen, all of Powell; his nine grandchildren, Deb (Ron) Hopkins, Ryan (Shiloh) Walter, Brett (Meikyn) Shuler, Becki, Abby, Jared, Tawni, Tanner and Tucker Shuler; and three great-grandchildren, Jessa Walter, Brock and Brandon Shuler.
Memorials may be given to Camp Bethel in care of the First Baptist Church, in keeping with Grady's love of children.
Burial following the services will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
An early day resident of the Powell area died Monday, Oct. 22 in San Diego, Calif.
Services for Beth Tabor, 81, will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 at the Torrey Pines Christian Church of La Jolla, Calif.
She was born June 5, 1920, on her parents' homestead near Garland, the youngest of five siblings. Her parents were Walter and Blanche Brown.
She was educated in the Powell schools and graduated from Powell High School in 1938.
She was married to Dr. M. Leonard Tabor of Glenrock for 55 years until his death in 1995. At the time of their marriage, he was a teacher in the Powell school system.
She worked as a supervisor and manager for Pacific Bell for 29 years. She was an active member and supporter of the San Diego Natural History Museum and the San Diego Zoological Society. She was also active in her church an in P.E.O.
Survivors include her daughter, Linda Beth Tabor-Beck of San Francisco, Calif.; her sister, Bonnie Hiller of Powell; many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; brothers Virgil Brown and Kenneth Eastman; and sister Carol Robbins.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to The Nature Conservancy- Wyoming, the San Diego Natural History Museum or the San Diego Zoological Society, or a charity of choice.
Bonnie Raye Brazelton Tuttle ~ October 23
Memorial services are scheduled today (Thursday) in the First Southern Baptist Church in Worland for Bonnie Raye Brazelton Tuttle, 48, who died Tuesday, Oct. 23 at the Worland Health Care & Rehabilitation Center after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born April 15, 1953, in Worland to Warren and Lorraine Brazelton. She was graduated from Powell High School in 1971 and then attended Northwest Community College in Powell.
She enlisted in the armed forces and served for three years in the U.S. Navy. She then returned to Powell and finished her A.S. degree at Northwest. She was married to Lawrence W. Tuttle on Oct. 6, 1972.
She and her husband moved to Fort Hood, Texas, where he was stationed in the military. After a helicopter crash took his life in 1980, she moved to Worland where she raised her family. She just returned from a Washington, D.C. trip sponsored by the Dream Foundation where she was able to see the Woman's Veteran Memorial.
Her hobbies included reading and the study of the Bible. She was active in the historical society and loved sewing and making doll clothing.
Survivors include her daughter Shiloh and husband Jerry Cogdill and grandchildren Scarlett Raigh Tuttle and Kane Warren Cogdill, all of Worland; three brothers, Warren Brazelton of Venezuela, Jerrold D. Brazelton of Casper and Rick D. Brazelton of Dickinson, N.D.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Memorial donations may be made to the Victims of Violence, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, P.O. Box 524, Worland, WY 82401.
Fredrick Wilson Hopkin ~ October 23
Funeral services were Saturday in the Lovell LDS Church for Fredrick Wilson Hopkin, 84, longtime area resident who died Tuesday, Oct. 23 at North Big Horn Hospital in Lovell.
He was born Dec. 1, 1916, in Penrose to Fredrick William and Elizabeth Hopkin. After graduating from Powell High School, he served a mission for the LDS Church. His mission started in England, but due to the start of World War II, he was transferred to Pennsylvania to finish serving.
After returning home, he worked as a dairy farmer. In 1940, he married Dorcas Lea Waltman, described by him as "the prettiest girl I ever met." Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple.
He raised his family in the same home his father had purchased. He served various callings in his church, and in 1973 moved to California and became the caretaker of the Modesto Stake Center. He then moved to Casper before returning to the Lovell-Powell area.
Friends and family will remember him for his love of people and animals.
Survivors include his wife Dorcas; a son, Carl Hopkin and wife Ann of Englewood, Colo.; four daughters, Nancy Smith of Powell, Janet Kobielusz and husband John and Kathleen Pittman and husband Dennis, both of Gillette, and Deborah Keele and husband David of Lovell; two brothers, Harold and Burchell Hopkin of Powell; three sisters, Marian Simian, Faye Smith and Zona Roper, all of Powell; 14 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Burial was in the Penrose Cemetery.
Ryan Scott Mollenbrink ~ October 25
Funeral services were conducted Monday at the LDS Church between Greybull and Basin for former Greybull resident, Ryan Scott Mollenbrink, 25, who died Thursday, Oct. 25 at the Sand Hills Ranch at Rock River as the result of a tragic accident on horseback.
He was born in Powell on Jan. 15, 1976, one of three children of Terry and Janet (Smith) Mollenbrink of Greybull.
He attended schools in Greybull from elementary through high school. He always had a special place in his heart for his sisters, for his big sis, Diana, and for his baby sister, Jenni, who has special needs. He had compassion for those who were less fortunate and those with disabilities.
He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 8. He was easy going and had a great love for life. He enjoyed spending time with his cousins, riding round-up, roping, fishing and huting. From childhood, he had a love for animals, particularly cattle, horses and dogs.
He began college at the University of Wyoming in 1994, and initially planned to major in criminal justice or law enforcement. It wasn't long, however, before he realized he could turn his life's passion- being outdoors and working with animals- into a career. He spent the next two years at Chadron State College (1995-1997) and then returned to UW in the fall of 1997. He graduated in December, 1999 with a degree in animal science and nutrition.
It was at UW that he met Heather Dunmire, who would later share his life with him. They shared many common interests, graduating with the common major in animal science and nutrition. They loved working cattle together and spent many hours riding horses and roping and enjoying the outdoors.
After college graduation, Ryan was offered a job by Heather's father, Les Dunmire, on the Dunmire Ranch. He was then offered a job working at Brown Creek Angus with Jim Rogers, a mentor.
Beginning in 2000, Ryan split his employment half and half, spending the six winter months on the Dunmire Ranch and the six warm weather months on the Sand Hills Ranch at Rock River. In 2001, he was promoted to manager of the expansive Sand Hills Ranch, with 98,000 acres of open space where he could ride for hours without seeing anyone. The ranch was also home to 6,500 head of cattle, brought there for summer pasture.
Survivors include his father and mother, Terry and Jan Mollenbrink of Greybull; his sisters, Diana Stephens and husband Kurt of Greybull, and Jennifer Mollenbrink of Greybull; his nieces, Brett, Bailee and Kendall Stephens, all of Greybull; his fiancee, Heather Dunmire of McFadden; his grandparents, Scott and LaRae Smith of Greybull, Bill and Janis Pearl of Powell and Jack and Helen Gay Mollenbrink of Lovell; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
In memory of Ryan, a memorial fund has been established at Big Horn Federal Savings Bank in Greybull, with proceeds to go to the "Body and Spirit Therapeutic Riding Program" at the McFadden Ranch at Greybull, which Ryan's sister, Jenni, participates in.
Funeral services are scheduled today (Tuesday) at 1 p.m. at Miratsky-Easton Funeral Home for Ted Van Valin, 80, who died at his home in Powell on Thursday evening, Oct. 25.
Pastor David Hunter will officiate at services and burial in Crown Hill Cemetery, with the Powell Veterans Honor Guard providing military honors.
Mr. Van Valin was born July 30, 1921, in Torrington to J.F. and Fay (Sohn) Van Valin. He attended school at Lyman, Nebr., High School.
During World War II, he served with the Army Air Corps from October of 1942 until February of 1946.
On Aug. 21, 1947, he married Eleanor Surline in Laramie. They moved to Powell, and he worked for the U.S. Postal Service and then for the Cody Holiday Inn before retiring. He enjoyed watching the Wyoming Cowboys, fishing, hunting and messing with his horses. He was a former member of the Masons.
Survivors include his wife Eleanor of Powell; two sons, Steven L. Van Valin of Powell and John J. Van Valin and wife Debbie of Powell; a daughter, Teddy O'Conner, of Powell; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.
Should friends desire, memorials to the Valley Hospice of Powell would be appreciated by the family.
Gerald (Jerry) H. Beaver ~ October 31
Services were held Saturday in Loveland, Colo., for Gerald (Jerry) H. Beaver, 65, who died of cancer Wednesday, Oct. 31 at his home there.
He was the son of Hiram and Ruth (Collins) Beaver, born on Sept. 11, 1936, on the family farm at his paternal grandparents' home just outside Deaver.
He attended school in Deaver, graduating from high school in 1954. In his own words, he remembers the days living in the Deaver-Frannie communities as the happiest days of his life. He attended the University of Wyoming.
He married Shirley Fisk in Harlowton, Mont., on Sept. 7, 1957. To this union were born three children: Karen, Natalie and Greg.
Mr. Beaver was employed by Continental Oil Company for 26 1/2 years and then for Meridian Oil for 15 years as Regional Human Resources Manager. He retired in 1996 and moved to Loveland.
He had a wonderful sense of humor, a love for his family, friends, community and co-workers, for whom he also had great respect. He was named Boss of the Year in 1992 by the Desk and Derrick Club of Northern Harris/Montgomery Counties in Houston, Texas. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Loveland and also served as president of the Allendale Homeowners Association for several years.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Loveland; daughter, Natalie Tomlinson and husband Ken of Westminster, Colo.; son Greg Beaver and wife Susan of Littleton, Colo.; three grandsons, Nicholas Tomlinson, Ryan and Kyle Beaver; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A daughter, Karen, and his mother, Ruth, preceded him in death.
Burial will follow at a later date in Deaver.
The family suggests memorial donations to First United Methodist Church of Loveland, First Methodist Church of Deaver or to Hospice of Larimer County, in care of Goes Funeral Care, 3665 Canal Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80524.
Ronald D. Kranich ~ October 31
Funeral services are scheduled today (Tuesday) in Fairfax, Va., for former Powell resident, Ronald D. Kranich, who died Wednesday, Oct. 31 in Fairfax Hospital there.
A Powell High School graduate of 1955, he was the son of Ella Eichenlaub of Powell and the late Arthur Kranich, and stepson of Anton Eichenlaub of Powell.
Survivors include his wife, Karin M. Kranich; a daughter, Christina Pullen; a son, Michael Kranich; his brother, Darryl Kranich; and two grandchildren.